What Size/Type for Me??

What Size/Type for Me??

by Julie
(Kalamazoo, MI)

Hi! I see that you get these a lot but I am thinking about getting a bike next summer. I am 5'8" and I weigh 125 lbs and I'm looking for something to be road ready and fast (but still safe). I've ridden motorcycles before but mostly quads. Are there bikes that are more tailored for women with not too much experience? I like the looks of the Kawasaki Ninja...

Thanks!!

Julie

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What Size/Type for Me??

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Sep 27, 2009

An echo of Beemers...
by: Barb

I can only echo Ahna's remarks. I don't have a BMW single, but I am also 5'8", and rode 220 miles pillion on my boyfriend's BMW 650 single during a recent ride, and it had lots of power even two-up. Normally I ride my XS650 Yamaha/sidecar, and it was great to be able to lean into corners for a change! His "little" Beemer kept up with the big Bagger V-twins on mountain passes, and he is an inch shorter than I am, and was in complete control all the time. His doesn't have the belt drive, he has a chain, but it's no big deal to just spray some lube on before a ride. That ride on the back of his BMW influenced me in getting a BMW R80 twin to pull my sidecar around. Take a look at them before you decide.

Enjoy!

Barb

Sep 26, 2009

My personal experience....
by: Ahna

Hi Julie,

I just wanted to share my experience, as I'm transitioning from my first bike to my second. I've been riding an '05 BMW F650cs, and I have to say that I don't feel I could have picked a more perfect bike to start out on. Stylistically, it doesn't match the Ninja, but I would urge you to ride the BMW if you have the opportunity. It's a really fun bike, single cylinder, so it's a torquey ride, but really quick! It's really easy to ride, too, as they put the gas tank under the seat to lower the weight balance, it's super easy to maneuver, even though it's a little heavier than an equivalent engine sportbike. Plus, it's belt drive, so it's virtually no maintenance for a beginning rider.

I could lead a cheering section for the BMW all day, but I'll just share my experience with other good starter bikes. I can't say that I've actually ridden the Ninja, but I have ridden the Honda CBR 600, Yamaha R6, Suzuki SV650 and GSXR 750, and the BMW F800 S & ST. The one thing I can say about the Honda and the Yamaha is that they are really featherlight, almost squirrely. What that means to me as a newer rider is that I never quite felt stable on those two bikes. Comparatively, it felt like a bicycle with an engine, vs. the Suzuki's and BMW, which actually feel like a motorcycle. I don't know what type of riding you're going to be doing, but I do both touring and canyon riding on my BMW.

I'm transitioning to a second bike for canyons/track because I've gotten pretty balls to the wall with riding and my BMW is just too nice to take out to the track, but I'd vote it #1 as a starter bike any day!

FYI, I'm 5'7 and 140lbs and I'm just flatfooted on my BMW with the regular seat height--it sits up high, which is great for riding in traffic.

Please check out my blog @ http://acommontread.wordpress.com/ as I search for my next bike. I'd love to hear about what you end up getting and how the riding goes!!

Peace, love, and clear roads,

Ahna

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What Size/Type for Me??

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What Size/Type for Me??